COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update May 6, 2021
Issued: Thursday, May 6, 2021Reporting period: Thursday, April 29, 2021, to Wednesday, May 5, 2021.
May 6, 2021 — The following is a summary of how the status of COVID-19 has changed in Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ service area over the last seven days up to end of day May 5, 2021: 66 new cases, and 57 cases were resolved. There was 1 COVID-related death. Forty-two (42) new cases screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC), which is 64% of the cases reported in this period. Seven (7) outbreaks were active in the past week, including 3 in local workplaces, 2 in a hospital, 1 in a correctional facility and 1 due to a private social gathering. Three (3) outbreaks were declared over in the past 7 days, all in workplaces. At end of day May 5, 2021, there were 90 active cases in our service area, and 6 active outbreaks. Fourteen (14) cases were hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 1 987 local cases of which 1 897 are resolved, and 28 people have died in our service area. Eight-hundred and twenty-two (822) have screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC).
Trends in the past seven days
- Of the 66 new cases in our service area, 7 were associated with an outbreak, while 42 were close contacts of confirmed cases. This means that Public Health identified how these people were exposed to COVID-19 and was able to take quick action to prevent further spread. Five (5) cases were travel-related, while the source of exposure was unknown for 9 cases. Three (3) case remained under investigation.
- Forty-nine (49) cases reside in Greater Sudbury, while 15 reside in the Sudbury District and 2 reside in Manitoulin District.
- Contact tracing information was available for all cases reported from April 29 to May 5. Through our investigation, we identified 148 people who had high-risk close contacts with these cases. That is an average of 2 high-risk close contacts per case, compared to 2 contacts per case in the previous 7 days. Public Health follows up directly and regularly with every high-risk close contact to monitor them for symptoms, ensure they are self-isolating, and make recommendations for testing according to provincial guidance.
- The seven-day incidence rate was 33.3 new cases per 100 000 population (compared to 26.6 for the previous 7 days).
- The percent positivity was 1.69% for the period of April 27 to May 3 (compared to 1.76% for the previous 7 days).
- For the period of April 28 to May 4, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 0.99 for Northern Ontario, and 0.92 for Ontario overall.
Vaccination Program Update
- To date, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program has administered a total of 85 405 doses to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 77 406 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 7 999 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. May 5, 2021).
- Over the last seven days up to end of day May 5, 2021, a total of 6 608 vaccine doses have been administered.
- Overall, 48.2% of Sudbury and district residents aged 18+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 44.1% for all Ontario residents aged 18+.
- Second doses have been received by 5.0% of those aged 18+ in Sudbury and Districts compared to 3.2% of Ontarians of same age.
- The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for adults 50+ in Sudbury and districts.
| Age Group | Dose 1 Count | Dose 1 % Coverage | Dose 2 Count | Dose 2 % Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 + | 10 238 | 100.0% | 1 912 | 20.3% |
| 75-79 | 7 162 | 100.0% | 453 | 6.7% |
| 70-74 | 9 520 | 100.0% | 551 | 6.1% |
| 65-69 | 10 568 | 85.1% | 571 | 4.6% |
| 60-64 | 11 089 | 78.4% | 620 | 4.4% |
| 55-59 | 5 840 | 36.1% | 489 | 0.4% |
| 50-54 | 4 036 | 24.7% | 131 | 0.8% |
* Rates are based on 2016 census populations and may over-represent actual vaccine coverage.
Stay COVID-safe
- Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to celebrate our role models who have helped us become who we are. Enjoy a COVID safe day, by celebrating with members of your household and connecting virtually with the loved ones who do not live with you.
- For many of us the COVID-19 pandemic has been a roller coaster of emotions. A healthy life includes the full range of human emotions. This year’s #MentalHealthWeek is all about naming, expressing, and dealing with our emotions. Learn how to #GetReal about how you feel and download the 2021 toolkit (Canadian Mental Health Association).
- COVID-19 can affect anybody. Protect yourself and others by following public health measures; practise physical distancing, wear a face covering, stay home, get tested when ill, and get vaccinated when you are eligible. We all have a role in practicing kindness, patience, and gratitude towards others.
- Curious to know how long it takes for the vaccine to work? The vaccine is an additional way to protect yourself against COVID-19. After about two weeks your body will start to develop protection and you are less likely to experience severe COVID symptoms. Remember to keep following public health measures after you get either dose of the vaccine.
- All vaccines are given by appointment only. If you have an appointment and are unable to attend, please call to cancel— every clinic spot counts. Visit our COVID-19 vaccine page for more information on booking a vaccination appointment.
What’s new
- Starting today, essential workers in Group 1 of the province’s Phase 2 schedule (Government of Ontario) will be able to book an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, more individuals will now have the option to book an appointment online, including adults 50 years of age and older in 2021 (born in 1971 or earlier). For more information, visit https://www.phsd.ca/health-topics-programs/vaccines-immunizations/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/upcoming-vaccination-clinics-for-specific-priority-groups/.
- Read a Joint Statement about following public health measures from Public Health Sudbury & Districts, Greater Sudbury Police Service, and the Ontario Provincial Police https://www.phsd.ca/a-joint-statement-from-public-health-sudbury-districts-greater-sudbury-police-services-and-the-ontario-provincial-police/.
Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health
I would like to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all who are celebrating this weekend. My hope is that you can safely connect with loved ones and enjoy quality time together—whether virtually or in person with those with whom you live. Although we continue to see progress with the local COVID-19 situation, it is important to remember that we are not out of the woods yet. Not following public health measures or ignoring the law can have immediate impacts in our communities. We are seeing infections in younger, healthy individuals, and the variants of concern are not something we can take lightly. As eligibility for individuals wishing to receive the vaccine is expanded, we are given hope that brighter days are ahead, but vaccines alone will not end the pandemic. Our daily choices matter.
Regular updates
Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/data for regular updates about COVID-19 testing, confirmed cases, as well as outbreaks and potential exposures in Greater Sudbury, the Sudbury District, and the Manitoulin District. In addition, a detailed epidemiology summary is posted Mondays and Thursdays that includes information about cases over time, case characteristics, probable exposures, case outcomes, testing, and outbreaks in facilities.
For more information or if you have questions, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).